The hype of the much-anticipated Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) began with the franchisees kick-starting their practice session at the academy ground of the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in the capital. While the players began the training formally, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is busy with making the opening ceremony grandest one. The last moment’s preparation was going on in full swing as the security personnel and the people related to the opening ceremony were beefed up. A number of famous artists of India and Bangladesh would ignite the gala opening ceremony on Friday.
Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan and Jacqueline Farnandez would be the main attraction on the opening ceremony. Farnandez came here during the last BPL opening ceremony but for Hrithik Roshan it would be the first time in Bangladesh. Even though many Indian artists performed in various programmes in Bangladesh in the past, Bangladesh fans have never seen Roshan in person in the country.
The preparation of making the stage is almost completed. However the players were busy to take the best preparation for the tournament. While the national players would take the tournament as part of their preparation for the upcoming Asia Cup and World Twenty20, some of the players like Shahriar Nafees and Kamrul Islam Rabbi would take it to make their case stronger. While Nafees is yet to break the deadlock of making the cut in the national team yet again despite showing good performance in the domestic circuit, Rabbi couldn’t play make his debut against Zimbabwe after he was called up for the first time.
“My focus is on just enhancing my performance, not for the national team,” said Shahriar Nafees after the practice session of his team Barisal Bulls. “The franchisees recruited us with a hope to get the best performance from us. So we all will try to give our best. We have a quality team and some quality and famous player like Chris Gayle. On our day we can beat any team. Every franchisee wants to be champions and we are no different.”
“Our first match is against Rangpur Riders and we hope to get off a good start,” Nafees added. Rabbi though couldn’t make his international debut he is in the plan of Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusingha who told him to focus on BPL, considering the upcoming Asia Cup and World T20. “I have been told to focus on BPL as we have many games in this format. If I can do well here, my confidence will be increased,” Rabbi, a player of Comilla Victorians said.
Mashrafe Bin Mortaza, the inspiration captain who changed Bangladesh team wholly with his shrewd captaincy, will lead the Comilla Franchisee. Rabbi saw bowling with Mashrafe as a matter of pride. “He is the best. It is matter of pride to bowl with him, to play under him. I am looking to show my mettle.”
Dhaka Dynamites and Barisal Bulls also took part in full time practice session yesterday at the BCB Academy Ground.